Q: How can I get this stray adopted?

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I am taking care of a cat we rescued about two weeks ago, and I want to find her a good home. However, most "adoption" resources on the internet only cater to shelters. I'm going to take care of her until I can find her a home, so I am not asking out of urgency, but out of the hope to find her the best family possible.

Readers' Answers (4)

There are lots of good answers here about what to watch for- but you asked "how". Don't ignore the power of the good old-fashioned flyer. Not everyone uses the internet, and especially not to find a pet. I found a home for a very difficult cat placement (9 y.o., mostly black, cat aggressive- and deaf!) with a flyer. Get the best photo you can, write up all her best traits, and leave flyers at vets' offices, in pet stores (places like PetCo encourages adoption signs) and anywhere you can think of around town. Do call it an adoption or rehoming. If you can find a low-cost vaccination service, you could just ask for whatever- $25?- to cover the cost of the vaccination, rather than having any whiff of picking-up-strays-for-profit to your quest. And good luck with her. She sounds like a lucky girl to have found you.

I agree with Jillian that the rehoming fee should never be less than $25.00. The other thing that I would insist on is a photo ID. That information should be listed on the contract they sign. It's a good way to let people understand that they are agreeing to the contract.

I agree with jillion but if you put a price on it know one will get one. Just $25.00 is ALOT for a kitten. people will just go to other places and get aFREE kitten. im looking for a kitten and i would never buy one in less it was like 5.00 and the perfect one. but if they have all there shots and every thing its a good good deal. but if they dont you wouldnt want to buy one when you have to do all the stuff for it yourself.

you're barking right up my alley...meowing up it? i take a in cats who've been abandoned in my {boyfriends} neighborhood, vet them and get them into a good home. not a shelter, not a rescue, but usually i have a good turn over rate.
i use craigslist to find homes. write up a short description that shows kitty in the best light, but also explains personal details - energy level, how she may do w/other cats or dogs or children, is she fixed and vetted, and basics of what she likes or doesn't like that you would deem important. make the subject line something catchy {happiness is a warm lap - female cat; what's black and white and cute all over? - male kitten}
good photos are a must. get four all of the same size {3x3 is good}. one of their whole body, one close up, and the other two whatever you want. by good photo i mean do it in the day when you have good lighting and avoid areas that are cluttered or unattractive in a photo.
ALWAYS ask for a rehoming fee. i charge $40, but mine are vetted, tested, and fixed {each costs me about $200}. your rehoming fee should reflect how much money you put into her, but should never be less than $25 - this weeds out ill intents. say "rehoming fee is $__ to ensure she goes to a good home" or you might get flagged.
be skeptical of everyone who calls. ask questions and say no whenever you need to...which is usually often. how long are they home? will she be an indoor kitty? do they declaw? what animals do they have? why are they interested in her? do they have children? and then some!
two major problems i run into are people looking to replace a deceased pet {this is a no-no, they're not in the right place to be adopting a new kitty} and they have small children. kids 6 and under is no home for a new cat. the younger the kids are, the more the red flags should be going off. the parents will debate you saying their kid is unique in that they know how to handle a cat, but the kid never does. be nice and simply say, "this cat doesn't do well w/small children."
personally, i never let them take the cat when they come over to meet him or her. i always deliver kitty to the adopter later that week. gives them time to think it over and gets you one more chance to get to know them and see their home. sometimes you'll walk into a house that's a complete deal breaker. trashed or kids everywhere or the back door wide open...and so on. no one has ever felt i was being intrusive b/c it's best for kitty's stress level that you drop her off anyway.
i also use an adoption contract. i can email it to you if you want to use it, just let me know. it's basic, but all encompassing. the contract gives you the right to seize the cat if breached. i started using one after an adopter had one of my cats declawed. now i also send one to their vet so i can be informed.
be honest to everyone about any problems she may have. i have yet to meet the "perfect" cat, but i will always meet people who think the cat should be. knowing beforehand ensures kitty won't be returned, which if they decide they don't want her anymore, be clear that she must be returned to you no questions asked.
lastly, post her once or twice a week so she stays on the page, just be sure to go back each time to delete your old entries.
sorry this was so long, hope it helps!